Oz - The Great and Powerful (2013) Chat and Reviews (Merged)

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Just as Oz himself proves more charlatan than sorcerer, however, some question the reality of Disney's apparent magic.


The film has been panned by many critics. Some have accused Franco of a wooden performance, others have accused Raimi of producing a stilted story. Raimi had approached Robert Downey Jr and Johnny Depp for the title role before turning to Franco.
Before its release there were reports of studio-mandated reshoots to make Franco's character more sympathetic and to expand the dialogue of a talking monkey.


Audiences have been kinder than critics, giving the film a B+ CinemaScore, but Galloway said box office returns so far were not enough given the film's epic price tag.


"They haven't quite got away with it financially. This has not been a gigantic hit in relation to its cost." Foreign takings usually needed to outperform US box office for this type of blockbuster's profitability but so far Europeans and Asians had proved less keen than Americans, possibly because it was such an American story, said Galloway.


He suggested that talk of a sequel and theme park ride could be bluster. "Don't be taken in by the spin."

Warner Bros v Disney: the fight for Oz's yellow brick road | Film | guardian.co.uk

[DisneylandTraveler]

Howdy Pards,

Well...in spite of all elitist, cynical, critical opinions to the contrary, OZ The Great and Powerful appears to be performing even better than the folks at Disney hoped it would.

The reason is quite simple...it is a delightful movie! Destined to become a classic.

And...it is worthy of the name Disney. Folks are returning to the theaters to see it again...as well they should.

I wonder how all the negative critics are feelin' about the fact that the people are completely ignoring them? Ahhh...the truth of the matter is...the word is out...this is a Great film...a great adventure into a wonderous world of imagination. It will be joining the billion dollar club, I believe...I predict. And, somewhere far, far above...a real wizard...a wizard named Walt Disney is smiling.

Go see it. And go see it again!

Wild Ol' Dan

Yo! Dan - Not every movie Disney makes is a "classic" a word you seem to throw out quite often. And certainly not this film. It's success seems fairly simple, this winter has been a disaster for movie box offices and a movie going public wanted to see something/anything, even something as mind numbing as Oz. Don't get too hooked up in the numbers, Disney still has a ways to go to turn a profit on OTGAP due to hits huge marketing budget. Of course, like all movies, if this film ever got taken to court over production or literary rights, Disney will claim that it was the second coming of John Carter.

Note: Burton's Alice in Wonderland made a billion dollars in the theaters, Oz won't come close.

I used to think Nicholas Cage was the worst actor working in the movies (certainly the worst to ever win an Academy Award). I think James Franco is Cage's heir apparent. Mila Kunis? How she got beyond That 70's Show (and Family Guy) is something of a head scratcher.

[KM63]

I enjoyed it. What made the experience MORE enjoyable was that I saw it at a drive-in, believe it or not! So, first of all, it was cheaper AND it was a double-feature. In this case it played with 'Jack-The Giant Slayer', which made for a pretty good double-feature!
The theater had recently gone digital (and repainted the screen) and the audio is broadcast in FM through your car stereo so the quality is not bad, really.
Enjoyable film, over all, that explained some of how things came about in the Land Of OZ.

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Great review!

Sounds like a fun way to see the film.

[gatheringrosebuds]

Howdy Pards,

Well...in spite of all elitist, cynical, critical opinions to the contrary, OZ The Great and Powerful appears to be performing even better than the folks at Disney hoped it would.

The reason is quite simple...it is a delightful movie! Destined to become a classic.

And...it is worthy of the name Disney. Folks are returning to the theaters to see it again...as well they should.

I wonder how all the negative critics are feelin' about the fact that the people are completely ignoring them? Ahhh...the truth of the matter is...the word is out...this is a Great film...a great adventure into a wonderous world of imagination. It will be joining the billion dollar club, I believe...I predict. And, somewhere far, far above...a real wizard...a wizard named Walt Disney is smiling.

Go see it. And go see it again!

Adios for now. Talk to ya on down the trail.

Wild Ol' Dan

Wild Ol' Dan, I'm starting to think that you own stock in Disney.

[Wild Ol' Dan]

Wild Ol' Dan, I'm starting to think that you own stock in Disney.

Howdy Gatheringrosebuds,

I do not.

Adios for now. Talk to ya on down the trail.

Wild Ol' Dan

[Wild Ol' Dan]

Howdy Pards,

Well, its kinda interestin' to note that this weekend OZ will be approachin', if not exceeding, the Half-Billion Dollar mark at the world wide box office...

As of yesterday...

Total Lifetime Grosses

Domestic:	$204,596,718	48.9%
+ Foreign:	$214,000,000	51.1%
= Worldwide:	$418,596,718

Adios for now. Talk to ya on down the trail.

Wild Ol' Dan

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Interesting to note, that's about what it cost to make and market worldwide.

[Wild Ol' Dan]

Howdy Pards,


Total Lifetime Grosses as of April 9th, 2013

Domestic:	$213,590,410	47.0%
+ Foreign:	$241,300,000	53.0%
= Worldwide:	$454,890,410

Production Budget: $215 million

Adios for now. Talk to ya on down the trail.

Wild Ol' Dan

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Do you have any idea what a worldwide marketing budget on a Hollywood tent pole even looks like? It usually, and especially in this case (launching a series franchise based on literature that's not well known outside the US), exceeds the production budget. You don't need inside knowledge to be aware of this, I thought it was common knowledge.